There are wider ethical considerations too – until the EU changed its regulations in 2007, birds were still harvested from the wild for the UK pet trade, and this remains the case for some pet fish. It is essential that the devolved nations follow suit, as there is no circumstance in which these intelligent, long-lived creatures can be properly cared for if they are kept as pets. These animals are also highly social and must be kept in appropriate social groups, which requires lots of space and careful breeding management and expertise.Īt the British Veterinary Association (BVA), we’ve been calling for a ban on owning primates as pets, so it’s good news that just last week the government set out proposals to deliver a ban in England. Many primates require specialist diets – for example, particular leaves, invertebrates or gum feeds – and all need complex environments to prevent behavioural problems. Some exotic animals, such as primates, have such specific needs that it is extremely difficult – if not impossible – to meet these in a domestic setting. Consideration should be given to which pet is right for you, whether you’re able to afford their care throughout their whole lifetime – as some, such as parrots and tortoises, can live for many decades – and, critically, whether you are not only able to meet their welfare needs but can also give them a “good life”. So it’s no surprise that the survey found that 81% of vets, myself included, are concerned that the complex welfare needs of these animals are not being met – suggesting that, as a society, we’re falling short when it comes to ensuring the wellbeing of many millions of animals.Ĭhoosing a new pet of any variety is a serious commitment and requires careful research and thought. Even more worryingly, 62% of these vets said that these animals are often not protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease – a significant increase from 46% in 2019. Nine in 10 (92%) of these vets highlighted the lack of a suitable environment, and 85% flagged that appropriate diets were often not provided. These cases are heartbreaking and can result in such severe suffering that the only humane option for the animal is euthanasia.Ī British Veterinary Association (BVA) survey reported that more than half of the exotic pets seen by vets have unmet welfare needs. I’ve seen chronic and severe behavioural aberrations, including parrots feather-pecking themselves bald due to lack of appropriate social contact. I’ve seen thermal burns in snakes due to inappropriate or broken heating and lighting elements. I’ve seen “pathological” fractures in reptiles – due to bones so weak they easily break – because the wrong diets were fed, or they didn’t get the right UV light. Many of these owners, despite their best intentions, just aren’t aware of the specific needs of their pets. I’ve met exotic pets with extremely dedicated and highly informed owners who provide for all of their pets’ requirements, but sadly, I’ve also seen some really devastating cases. Having worked as a vet over the past 15 years, I’ve seen first-hand a huge variety of pets and their problems. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images Lemurs are among the primates most commonly kept as pets in the UK.
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